Despite loosing today Riley's fc can take nothing but positive things from their performance. In previous results the likes of Rec fc have ran rings around Riley's fc beating them 7-1 and then 6-0 last season, but in their 2nd game of there new season they were pre warned about what they would do and dealt with them well.
From the whistle Rec fc manager was barking the orders not to do too much running the sun was blazing down on the pitch, but the centre back duo of Dickerson and Haynes played a high line forcing any ball that went beyond them that the opposition would have to chase it down, a fact they were not fond of.
The action was all over the pitch at both ends but the defences were holding up strong forcing the midfielders to be doing the important battling in the centre. Sean Parker held his defence maagically like a yellow brick road forcing the opponents where he wanted them to go, but it was Rex-Bryd pulling away from his attacking mentality to get in on the defensive duties. Ford was producing useful pushes forward linking up well with Robinson but was lacking his defensive quality today, It was however Liam Gormley who proved to be the key man in the team that day, being tasked to keep what the manager considered to be Rec fc best player at bay not giving him anytime on the ball matching him for pace at every opportunity.
Laurence Scully today was on the hunt for his 2nd goal of the season 1st from open play, but it was not to be, the defence gave him a hard or nearly no time on the ball, the amount of time he found spent on the floor did cause one female spectator to scream out 'GET UP YOU PRICK' 'He's milking it' and I'm pretty sure he was thinking I'll milk you later bitch.....
At the end of the 1st half 0-0 after an excellent start it was an even game. And at the start of the 2nd half Riley's fc started how they had finished. Rec fc had certainly stepped it up but Riley's were working hard to counter all they were doing.
All action on the right side of the pitch Danny Parkes and Josh Beech were marking everyone out of the game as both tracking their players putting in a good shift. Keeper Ben Emery was finding himself having to pull of some saves, but there wasn't anything he couldn't deal with.
Worry came a little later on the 59th minute when Graham Haynes tackles a player causing a foul having many of us believing he had indeed just given away a penalty, until the ref called a free kick right on the edge of the box. With their star playing taking the free kick the ball seemed to just float, Ben Emery stretched his arms in the air but the ball somehow made it over them and into the net.
Subs were immediately made to bring on fresh legs into the midfield with Brittian and Kesteven replacing Parker and Ford. Getting stuck in well Riley's went on the offence trying to look for an equaliser forcing corners and nervous moments for their keeper.
On the 70th minute Graham Haynes entered his own world and had flash backs to The Karate Kid while helping Daniel Brittian defending against their opponents thought he was Mr Miyagi and preceded to show Danielson his Crane Kick while trying to win a ball in the air.. why didn't he use his head????? but moments later Mr Haynes was at it again and did heavily tackle a player 5 yards outside on his own box. The ref thought that was one too many and shown him the yellow card, The free kick again taken by Rec fc's star player but lighting wasn't striking twice as Emery made the save.
On 75th minute Stephen Jackson made his league debut as he comes on for Josh Beech going into right back so Danny Parkes could put further pressure in midfield.
Not long after Omar of Rec Fc found himself running one on one with the keeper, But Emery who has been training for weeks on this very scenario makes an incredible tackle/block closing down to deny the attacker and keep his team in it. But alas all Riley's could do now was see out the game. They were lucky to not to get any points from the game but have a hopeful season ahead....
